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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The developer who once proposed a mosque and community
center near ground zero now plans a 23-story retail center and hotel in midtown
Manhattan.

The New York Times says that Sharif El-Gamal and a partner
have a contract to buy the three-story Garment Center Congregation on West 40th
Street from Parsons the New School for Design for $61.5 million.

The 83-year-old synagogue would be relocated temporarily
during construction before being moved into the new building.

The tower also would include three floors of retail and a
hotel with about 260 rooms. They developers plan to close on the deal by early
March.

El-Gamal's proposal for a 15-story Islamic center three
blocks from the World Trade Center died amid public protests.